Converter for suction cleaners



Oct. 5, 1948. H. B. WHITE CONVERTER FOR SUCTION CLEANERS l 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May l2, 1943 v INVENTOR. t Harry B. White /77 A Oct. 54, 1948. H; B. WHITE 2,450,846

CONVERTER FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed May 12, 194s Y 4 sheets-sheet 2 ff Jur U17" "Il" Oct. 5, 1948. H.N B; WHITE CONVERTER FOR SUCTION CLEANERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May l2, 1943 INVENTOR. Harry W/zzte HTTOENEY H. B. WHITE CONi/ERTER FOR SUCTION CLEANERS oct. 5, l1948.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May l2. 1943 f l l A 4r 70E/vir lPatented Oct. 5, 1948 CONVERTER FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Harry B. White, Canton, Ohio, assigner to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 12, 1943, Serial No. 486,634

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to suction cleaners generally and more particularly to a new and improved dusting tool converter and its connection to the suction cleaner for converting the cleaner from an on-the-iloor unit to an ofi-theiloor unit.

An object of the inventionvis to provide a new and improved suction cleaner. Another object is to provide a new and improved converter element fcro-the-floor cleaning. A further object is to provide a converter element having valve means to enclose the motor shaft. Another object is to provide -a converter element having valve means actuated by the motor shaft to seal the cleaner nozzle from the suction creating means. Another object is to provide a converter element having valve means actuated by the cleaner body to receive the motor shaft and seal the cleaner nozzle from the suction creating means. Other objects and advantagesof the invention will be apparent from th'e following 4specification and drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, ywith certain parts broken away, of the suction cleaner in position for on-the-oor cleaning;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the suction cleaner in position for oii-the-oor cleaning;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of Figure 1 showing the converter element in position;

Figure 41s a section along the line 4-4 of Figure 3 Figure 5 is a bottom view of the converter element being initially inserted into contact with the motor shaft to move the converter valve toward open position;

Figure 6 is a bottom View showing the converter valve moved into open position;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the converter;

Figure 8 is a perspective view 0f the converter removed from the cleaner body;

Figure 9 is a. bottom plan view with parts broken away, of another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a section along line III-I0 of Figure-9, and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the converter element removed from the cleaner body.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 8 comprises a suction cleaner h'aving a body I6 provided with a nozzle I I interiorly connected through a suction air passageway I2 with an eye I3 of a fan chamber I4 from which rearwardly extends an unshown exhaust passageway for conveying dirt-laden air into a dirt-filtering bag I5 removably attached at its lower end to the cleaner body III and at its upper end supported by a handle |6 pivotally mounted on the body. A housing I1 encloses an unshown motor posi- 'tioned on the cleaner body above the fan chamber I4 and its shaft extends downwardly through the chamber I4 where it carries `a fan I9, and provided at the lower end of the motor shaft is a pulley 20 in the suction air passageway I2, a belt engaging groove 2| on th'e pulley 20 being 4spaced below the bottom wall 22 of the Ian chamber I4. An agitator 23 is rotatably mounted in the nozzle and is driven by a power-transmitting belt 24 connected to the pulley groove 2|.

The suction air-passageway I2 extends from the nozzle II to the fan eye |3 and is formed by a wall 25 depending from the cleaner body and a removable bottom plate 26. An opening is provided in the wall 25 of the suction air passageway I2 adjacent the fan eye I3 and is normally closed by a spring actuated valve 21 pivotally mounted along its lower edge by a pin 28 supported on a converter receiving casing 29. The converter receiving casing 29 is of rectangular cross-section and extends from th'e valve 21 transversely of the cleaner body I0 to the depending skirt 30 of the latter for reception of a dusting tool converter element 3| when the cleaner is converted to olif-the-A floor cleaning.

The cleaner body is supported on front and rear wheels 32 and 33, respectively, the front wheels 32 having a greater tread area than the rear wheels to maintain the nozzle I| in proper adjustment with the surface being cleaned. The rear wheels 33 are rotatably supported on a bracket 34 pivotaliy attached to the cleaner body I0 and is provided with forwardly extending arms 35 and 36 which normally are urged by a spring 31 to abut the fan chamber bottom wall 22 for maintaining th'e cleaner nozzle in its proper range of adjustment for on-the-iioor cleaning. The arm 36 of the wheel supporting bracket projects through an opening 48 in the converter receiving casing 29 to act as a barrier to prevent insertion of the converter element 3| into the suction air passageway unless the nozzle is raised oi the surface into position for off-thefloor cleaning.

The converter element 3| which converts the cleaner for o-the-floor cleaning comprises a .hollow body having at one end a tubular portion 38 to which vis removably connected an unshown ilexible hose provided at its opposite end with a suitableunshown cleaning tool for engagement with the surface to be cleaned. Adjacent the tubular Portion 38 is a rectangular portion 33 formed with opposed side walls 40, 40 a top wall 4| and a bottom wall 42. At the forward end of the converter body in the top wall 4| is an opening 33 of substantially the size of the fan eye i3, and a slot 43 is formed in the side wall 40 and the bottom wall- 42 for the reception of that part closed. The valve sections 45'are movably supported on a depressed portion 49 of the converter bottom wall 42 by means of a substantially U- shaped spring 50 having its bight portion 5| supported between a projection 52 and a shoulder 53 at the edge of the depression 49, and the arms 54 of the spring 50 fit in elongated slots 55 in the valve sections 45 and have their ends 56 pivotally mounted in enlarged circular ends oi the slots 55 of the valve sections 45. The slots 55 are larger at their marginal ends to accommodate the movement of the valve sections to open and closed positions. When the valve sections are closed, the spring arms 54 engage themarginal wall 53 of the slots 55 and the meeting edges of the valve sections are in a plane extending longitudinally through the center of the slot 43, and when the valve sectionsare in open position the spring arms 54 engage the marginal side walls 59 of the slots 55. Also, when the valve sections 45 are in open position, the spring arms 54 abut the shoulder 53. The spring 50 is enclosed between the converter bottom wall 42 and a removable plate 60 which is provided with a slot 6| in register with the slot 43. A- depression 62 is provided in-the converter wall 42 for receiving the barrier 36 to lock the converter element in proper position in the cleaner body.

In normal on-the-oor cleaning, the cleaner body is moved over the surface being cleaned by the handle |6and the rotating agitator 23 ydis-- lodges the dirt from the surface covering.l The suction creatiing fan draws they air and dirt through the nozzle and suction air passageway and discharges the dirt-laden air into the dirt bag l5.

To convert the cleaner for oiI-the-oor cleaning, pressure is exerted on the rear end of the motor housing I1 to raise the nozzle from the surface covering and cause the barrier 36 on the wheel bracket 34 to move downwardly away from the cleaner body and out of the converter receiving casing 29 whereby the converter element 3| may be inserted. When the converter element is in proper position and pressure removed from the motor housing, the barrier 36 moves into the recess 62 and holds the converter element in position and also maintains the agitator 23 out of engagement with the surface covering.

As the converter element 3| passes through the converter receiving casing 29,. the valve sections abut the valve 21 and pivot it downwardly into the suction air passageway i 2. Thereafter the forward walls of the valve sections 45 contact the motor pulley 20 and due to such engagement and the continued movement of the converter element-3| into the suction air passageway I2, the valve sections 45 are separated against the force of the spring 50. After the valve sections 45 have passed the motor pulley 2li, the spring 50 moves the valve sections together to close the valve about the pulley 20 and cut off communication between the nozzle Il and the fan chamber I4. In this position of the converter element 3|, dirt-laden air is drawn through the unshown dusting tool and ilexible hose, the converter element 3|, fan eye |3, into the fan chamber I4 and is discharged by the fan I3 into the dirt bag l5.

The foregoing conversionv for off-the-floor cleaning can be made, if desired, while the belt 24 is rotating the agitator 23 and these parts remain in operation while the converter element 3| is in use. In order to reconvert for on-thefloor cleaning, pressure is exerted on the rear end of the motor housing I1 to move the barrier 36 out of the depression 62 to unlock the converter element 3| which can then be removed from the converter receiving casing 29. Upon re moving the converter element 3| the inner end 55 of the valve sections 45 engage the motor pulley 20 which separates the valve sections 45 to clear the motor -pulley 23 and thereafter the spring 50 moves the valve sections 45 to their closed positions. I

Another embodiment of the invention is disclosed in.Figures 9 to 11 and comprises a converter element 13 which converts the cleaner for off-the-iioor cleaning and is provided with a hollow body having at one end a tubular portion 1| to which is removably connected an unshown fiexiblehose provided at its opposite end with a suitable unshown cleaning tool for engagement with the surface to be cleaned. Adjacent the tubular portion 1| is a rectangular portion 12 formed with a side wall 13, a top wall 14 and a bottom wall 15. At the forward end oi' the converter body in the top wall 14 is' an opening 13 of substantially the size of the fan eye i3. and a slot 11 is formed in the side wall 13 and the bottom wall 15 for the reception of that part of the pulley 23 which extends between the fan chamber bottom wall 22 and the belt 24. A depression 13 is provided in the converter bottom wail 15 for receiving the barrier 35 to lock the converter element 13 in proper position in the cleaner body.

The slot 11 is closed by Va valve 33 having two cooperating sections 3|, each of which is pivoted on a pin 32 mounted on the converter bottom wall 15, and the valve sections 3| are normally urged to slot-closing position by means of a leaf spring 33 having its opposite ends anchored in arcuate ends 34 at the rear of the valve sections 3|. The valve sections 3| have a slot-closing portion 35 at their forward ends and meet in a vertical plane passing substantially through the longitudinal center of the converter element 13. Each of the valve sections 3| is provided with an arcuate marginal slot 36 which receives a pin 31. mounted on the converter bottom wall 15, the pins 31 functioning to limit the outward movement .of the valve sections 3| as they' move to fopen position with respect to the slot 11 in the converter element. `The rear arcuate ends 34 of the valve sections project beyond the side wall 13of the converter element when the valve sections 3| are closed. The valve sections 3| are arranged between a depressed area 33 of the converter bottom wall 15 and a removable plate 3|' secured to the bottom wall.

The cleaner is placed in position for offthefloor cleaning in the manner previously described by .depressing the rear end oi' the cleaner body so that the converter element 13 may be inserted into the converter receiving casing 23. As the converter element 10 is inserted in the converter receiving casing 23, the projecting arcuate rear ends 34 of the valve sections 3| abut the side walls I8 of the converter receiving casing 29 and cause the valve sections 8| to uncover the slot 11 by movement to the dotted position shown in Figure 9, to thereby completely expose the slot.` As the forward end of the converter element jenters into the suction air passageway I2, the valve sections 8| being in open position, the slot 11 receives the belt pulley 22, and as the projecting rear ends 84 of the valve sections enter the enlarged suction air passageway I2, the valve sections 8| are moved to slot closing position about the motor pulley 20 by the leaf spring 83.

When the converter is in proper position, the forward marginal edges 98 of the valve sections 8| seat beneath the lower defining edge 9| of the depending wall 25, and the forward end of the converter element 10 abuts the vertical surface way, comprising a conduit adapted to be insertsaid nozzle from said fan chamber, means on 92 of the depending wall 25 to thereby form a seal against the passage of air therebetween. In this position of the converter element 10, dirtladen air is drawn through the unshown dusting tool and flexiblewhose, the converter element 18. fan eye I3, into the fan chamber I4 and is discharged by the fan I9 into the dirt bag I5..

In order to reconvert for on-the-fioor cleaning, pressure is exerted on the` rear end'of the motor housing I1 to remove the barrier 35 out of the depression 18 in the converter element 18 to thereby unlock the latter and permit its removal from the converter receiving casing 29. Upon removing the converter element 10, the motor pulley 20 contacts the arcuate defining edges 93 ofthe valve'sections 8| to move the latter to open position, thefdiameter of the motor pulley 20 being such thatthe normally projecting ears 84 of the v`alve s ections 8| are shifted so as not to project beyond the sidewall 13 of the converter element. The extreme rear ends 84 of the valve sections 8| are' arcuate so that upon engagement with the inner marginal edge of the converter receiving casing 29 they enter the latter and maintain the valve sections 8| in slot open position by contact with the vertical side Iwall I8 of the converter receiving casing 29. When the converter element' 10 is completely removed from the converter receiving casing 29, the spring 83 moves the `valve sections .8| to slotclosing position.

I claim:

l. In a suction cleaner, a cleaner body having a nozzle, a fan chamber having a fan eye, a suction air passageway between said nozzle s and fan eye, a fan in said fan chamber, a shaft extending through said fan eye into said air passageway, a motor for driving said fan and shaft, means defining a port in said air passageway adjacent said fan eye for receiving a converter element, a converter element having a slot passing transversely of said shaft, and a valve forming side and bottom walls of said converter element for enclosing said shaft upon insertion of said converter element to seal said nozzle from said fan chamber, means on said valve engageable with said shaft to open said valve for passage of said converter transversely of said shaft,

and means connected with said valve for thereafter closing said valve about said shaft.

2. A dusting tool converter for suction cleaners having a nozzle, a fan chamber having a fan eye, a suction air passageway between said nozzle and fan eye and having a port adjacent said fan eye, a motor for` driving asuction creating fan in said fan chamber and drivingA a shaft extending through'said fan eye into said air passagesaid valve engageable with the shaft to open said valve for passage of said converter transversely of the shaft, and means -connected with said valve for thereafter closing said valve about the shaft.

3. In a suction cleaner, a cleaner body having a nozzle, suction creating means, a suction air passageway between said nozzle and suction creating means, power means for driving said suction creating means extending into said air vpassageway, means forming a port in said passageway for receiving a converter element, a converter element insertable in said port into said passageway, means forming a slot in said converter element for receiving said power means, and a valve movably mounted on said converter element to enclose said power means and close `said slot, and means engageable with said cleaner during insertion of said converter to move said valve to open position to receive said power means, and resilient means to close said valve to seal said nozzle from said suction creating means and connect the latter to said converter element.

.4. In a suction cleaner, a cleaner body having a nozzle, suction creating means, an air passageway between said nozzle and suction creating means, power means for driving said suction creating means and extending into said airpassageway, a converter casing connected to said air passageway, a converter element insertable in said casing, means forming a slot in said converter element for receiving said power means, and a valve movably mounted on said converter element to enclose said power means and close said slot, means engageable with said casing to open said valve to receive said power means, and l means connected with said valve to close said valve to seal said nozzle from said suction creating means and connect the latter to said converter element.

5. A dusting tool converter for suction cleaners having a nozzle, suction creating means, an air passageway between said nozzle and suction creating means, power means for driving said suction creating means and extending into said air passageway, and a casing connected to said air passageway, comprising a conduit adapted to be inserted in said casing, said conduit having a slot for receiving said power means, a valve movably mounted on said conduit to enclose said power means and close said slot, said converter having means engageable with said casing to open said valve to receive said power means, and means to close said valve to seal said nozzle from said suction creating means and connect the latter to said converter.

6. A dusting tool converter for suction cleaners having an air passageway connecting a nozzle and suction creating means, an air passageway having a port, and drive means in the air passageway, said converter comprising a conduit adapted to be inserted through the port into the air passageway, said converter having an opening to receive the drive means, a valve movably mounted on said conduit to enclose said drive means and close said opening to seal the nozzle from the suction creating means, said converter having means er as said converter is inserted th'rough the port REFERENCES CITED into the all' passageway t0 thereby open Said valve The following references are of record in the for the reception of the drive means, and reme of this patent:

silieni; means operable to move said valve to enclose the drive means and close said opening 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS after the latter has received the drive means. Number Name Date 2,080,480 Hoover May 18, 193

HARRY B' WHITE 2,340,347 severance Feb, 1,1944 

